Actress Zenande Mfenyana has spoken out about a trend in the entertainment industry that she feels is hurting real talent—actors now being judged by their social media following instead of their actual acting skills.
In a recent interview on Power FM 98.7, Zenande expressed her frustration about how casting decisions are often influenced by how many followers an actor has online. She believes this shift is damaging the true art of acting.
“It hurts a lot though, when someone who has a huge following just gets the part because of their huge following. It’s very hurtful,” she said honestly. “We’re in such a social media frenzy world where even at an audition you have to write how many followers you have. I always leave it out ’cos I’m like, what does this have to do with my talent?”
Zenande, who started her acting journey in children’s theatre before landing her big TV break on Generations in 2011, believes her experience and growth in the industry should speak louder than her online numbers. “Just put me on tape and see if I’m good enough. And I feel like my work speaks for itself. You know, having got in… I mean I started off in children’s theatre and then my first big TV break was Generations, which was what? 2011.”
She added, “Just put me on tape, give me a chance, don’t worry about how many followers I got. It shouldn’t be about that.”
Her comments sparked a conversation online. Many agreed with her and shared their views on X (formerly Twitter). One user, @TheSituationZA, said, “It makes sense why they keep casting one and the same individuals and hardly give the new up and coming individuals a chance. Most of these new up and coming individuals are way more talented than your usual celebrities but because of ‘followers’ on social media they are not being cast. It’s crazy.”
Another user, @Markosonke1, joked, “Oh so it’s no longer about talent or tears on cue, it’s about TikTok followers now? Imagine Thuso Mbedu getting rejected for not trending!”
While some sympathized with Zenande, others felt differently. @ChadleyZungu commented, “All she needs to do is interact with her fans online, post a pic or two once in a while—people will follow. It’s the new world we live in, unfortunately… followers bring numbers and numbers bring money.”
Despite these challenges, Zenande is back on screen in a powerful new role. She stars in Inimba, a fresh drama on Mzansi Magic that focuses on love, family, and sacrifice. She plays Thumeka, a humble and grounded nurse who lives a simple, faith-driven life.
“She’s one of the most simple, laid-back characters I’ve ever portrayed,” Zenande told TRUELOVE magazine. “Thumeka isn’t swayed by fashion trends or material things—she leads a modest life and stays true to who she is.”
What made Zenande accept the role was how real and relatable the story felt. “It felt real and fresh—a story that so many South Africans would see themselves in,” she shared.
Zenande also highlighted how rare it is to see strong Black women in positions of power on screen. “I truly believe that Inimba is a story where you see a strong Black woman standing up for herself, challenging the status quo, and pursuing her dreams—even at the expense of losing her family.”
Actress Zenande Mfenyana reveals that during auditions, actors are asked how many followers they have on social media.
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— MDN NEWS (@MDNnewss) April 17, 2025
